Audition

Audition Requirements:

PREPARE:

• Learn and memorize two contrasting Musical Theatre songs- 16-32 bars each (up to one minute each). "Contrasting" can mean one fast, one slow. Contrasting can also mean one song is light and happy and one is driving and intense. (Musical Theatre songs are songs from Musical Theatre shows. See resources, bottom of page)

• Find PIANO/VOCAL sheet music for your songs from Musicnotes.com, from a songbook, from your voice teacher, or from the resources at the bottom of this page. 

•  PRINT your sheet music and MARK it clearly for your accompanist. Write "START" where you want the pianist to begin playing your introduction, or "BELLTONE" if you want them to just give you your starting pitch. Write "END" where you want them to stop playing, so that the accompanist does not have to guess and you will have a smoother audition.

• Place your 2-sided sheet music (back to back in non-glare sheet protectors OR taped together and hole-punched), IN A BINDER so that your accompanist can easily turn pages as you sing.

• Wear something you like, that you think shows your personality, and is cute and comfortable. (Do not wear heels unless they are super comfortable for you)

• Practice your "slate" - (introduction to you, your songs, and the shows that they are from). Ex: "Hi, I'm Julie Evans, and I'm going to be singing Cockeyed Optimist from South Pacific, and I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady." 

• Remember that Musical Theatre is about STORYTELLING. We are looking for you to find a character and take us somewhere inside your imagination when you do your songs. It is not always about technique.

• Bring stretchy, fitted clothes that you will feel comfortable dancing in for the Dance call. 

The Audition Process:

Arrive to your audition nicely dressed, with music memorized, and sheet music cut and marked in your binder, and find your way to the holding area. All auditioners will be sitting together in a holding room to fill out their Applicant forms and answer some essay prompts.  You may be given a short monologue to try (this does not have to be memorized - we are trying to see if you are able to make interesting choices with new material). Seniors will be there to assist you.

You will be called in one at a time to the audition room, where you will hand your applicant form to the person at the desk, and go to Jay with your music binder to set up your music and give tempos. Once that is clear, you 

Step to the center of the room, where you will "slate" your name and songs. *Your slate is our introduction to you, so please let yourself meet our eyes and smile with us. We are rooting for you!

You will sing your songs and will be given a monologue to try. 

You may be asked to match pitch or vocalize with the piano, and/or answer a question from the audition panel. 

Following your audition, you will change into dance clothes, and participate in a dance call with your audition group.

Materials:

If you need help finding a 16-bar cut of a musical theatre song, you may select a song from one of these anthologies. If you are unable to print out your song, we will have copies of these books at the audition.